Kitchen Handle Styles Guide
Handles are a small detail that makes a big difference. They're the part of the kitchen you touch dozens of times a day, and the right choice pulls a whole scheme together. Because our doors come without handles, you're free to pick exactly what suits your style — here's how to choose.
The Main Handle Styles
Bar handles
Straight rails fixed at both ends. The most versatile modern choice — easy to grip, available in lengths from stubby to full-drawer-width. Slim bars suit contemporary and handleless-look kitchens; chunkier bars feel more industrial.
Cup (cabinet) handles
Half-moon pulls that you hook your fingers under, traditionally paired with knobs on the doors. A signature of shaker and country kitchens, especially in aged brass, pewter or matt black.
Knobs
Simple round or faceted pulls for doors and smaller drawers. Classic and understated; often mixed with cup handles on drawers for a traditional look.
Integrated grips / handleless
No surface handle at all — a J-profile channel or push-to-open mechanism. The cleanest, most minimal look, ideal for modern open-plan kitchens. See our door-style guide for how handleless doors work.
Matching Handles to Your Doors
| Door style | Handles that suit |
|---|---|
| Gloss / slab modern | Slim bar handles, or go handleless |
| Shaker | Cup handles + knobs, or bar handles for a modern shaker |
| Matt contemporary | Bar handles in matching or contrasting matt finish |
| Oak / country | Cup handles and knobs in aged brass or pewter |
Finishes and Practical Points
- Tie in your metals. Match handles to your tap and lighting where you can — brushed steel, matt black, brass and chrome each set a different tone.
- Think about cleaning. Matt black and brushed finishes hide marks better than polished chrome in a busy kitchen.
- Get the size right. Use longer bar handles on wide drawers so they open evenly; oversized handles on small doors look clumsy.
- Fit handles last. Hang and align all doors and drawers first, then drill for handles — it's far easier to get them consistent.
Browse our kitchen door handles or explore replacement doors to build your look. Questions? Call 02920 007 948.